Equalizing mechanism



Aug. 27, 1929. N. D. LEVIN EQUALIZING MECHANISM Filed 001:. 5, 1927 b mmmfi f Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

1.72am rarsnr Fries.

UNITED STATES NILS D. LEVIN, OFCOLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

EQUALIZING MECHANISM.

Application filed October 5, 1927.

wheeled vehicle to maintain uniform distribution of the load upon the supporting wheels while said vehicle is traveling over an irregular roadway.

The means whereby I attain this object are fully set forth in the following specifications and illustrated in the accompanying drawing of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a four-wheeled locomotive of the well known design especially adapted to use in coal mines, and similar installations, equipped with the devices of my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

For purposes of illustration I have shown in the drawings a locomotive of the type commonly used. in coal mines and similar installations, the numeral 1 referring to the side frames and the numeral 2 referring to the end frames which are joined together by the connecting bolts 3 to form a. rigid main frame. This locomotive is supported upon four traction wheels 4 and 5 which are fixed to the-two axles 6 and 7 and are adapted to rest upon and travel along the rails 8 of the mine track. The axle 6 is journaled in axle boxes 9 each of which is adapted to vertical movement in guideways of the locomotive frame. The journal boxes 9 support compression springs 10 which engage the abutments 11 fixed to the side frames 1. The axle 7 is journaled in similar axle boxes 12 which are slidable in vertically disposed guideways 13 of the side frames 1, and each of these boxes 12 supports compression springs 14 which bear against abutment members 15 which are slidable in the guideways 18. Positioned immediately above each of the abutments 15, and bearing thereon, is a cam 16' of a lon- Serial No. 224,264.

gitudinally disposed lever 16, one end of which is pivotally attached to the side frame 1 by a pivot bolt 17, and the other end is connected to a wire cable 18, or other suitable flexible draft device. The draft device 18 passes downwardly from its connection with the lever 16, around guide sheaves 19 which are attached to the side frame 1, and across the locomotive to connect the levers 16 at opposite sides of the locomotive. When, owing to irregularities in the surface of the track, one or other of the wheels 5 moves either upwardly or downwardly relative to the side frames 1 the corresponding lever 16 is moved about its pivot 17, thereby causing the cable 18 to move around the guide sheaves 19 to cause an equal but opposite movement of the opposite lever 16, thereby maintaining a uniform pressure upon thesprings 14, and a uniform distribution of the load upon the wheels 5.

By the arrangement above described I have provided a simple, convenient, durable, efficient, and inexpensive mechanism Whereby the weight of the vehicle and its load is uniformly distributed upon the supporting wheels;

It is to be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to the precise construction here shown, since the mechanism may be subject to wide variation as to details without departure from the spirit of my inven-' tion. v

What I claim is:

1. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, of two transversely extending axles each fitted with two supporting wheels, journal boxes for one of said axles mounted in guideways of said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, an abutment lever pivotally attached to said frame adjacent each of said journal boxes, and a flexible draft member connecting said levers as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, of two transversely extending axles each fitted with two supporting wheels, journal boxes for one of said axles mounted in guideways of said frame for vertical movement relative there to, an abutment lever pivotally attached to said frame adjacent each of said journal boxes, a flexible draft member connecting said levers, and guide devices attached to said frame and engaging said draft memher as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, of two trans versely extending axles each fitted with two supporting wheels, journal boxes for one of said axles mounted in guideways of said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, spring supported upon said journal boxes, an abutment lever pivotally attached to said frame adjacent each of said boxes and engaging their respective springs, and a flexible draft member connecting said levers as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination With a vehicle frame, of two transversely extending axles each fitted with two supporting wheels, journal boxes for one of said axles mountedin guideWays of said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, springs supported upon said journal boxes, an abutment lever pivotally attached to said frame adjacent each of said boxes and engaging their respective springs, a flex ible draft member connecting said levers, and guide devices attached to said frame and engaging said draft members as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, means at opposite sides thereof for transporting the same along the ground, said means being vertically movable relative to the frame, and flexible draft means connecting said vertically movable means for causing opposed movement thereof.

6. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, means at opposite sides thereof for transporting the same along the ground, said means being ver tically movable relative to the frame, and flexible draft means connecting said vertically movable means for causing opposed movement thereof.

7. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, means at opposite sides thereof for transporting the same along the ground, said means being vertically movable relative to the frame,

members at opposite sides thereof cooperating with said vertically movable means, and cable means connecting said members for causing opposed movement thereof.

8. In an equalizing mechanism, the comsaid rockable elements for equalizing the tension of said saring means.

10. In an equaiizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, supporting means at opposite sides thereof for trans porting the same, spring means on said supporting means for supporting said frame, cam elements mounted at opposite sides of said frame to cooperate With said spring means, and means connecting said cam ele ments for equalizing the tension of said spring means.

11. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, supporting means at opposite sides thereof for trans- ;orting the same, spring means on said supporting means for supporting said frame, abutment levers pivotally attached to said frame at opposite sides thereof and having cam surfaces for cooperation with said spring means, and means connecting said levers for equalizing the tension of said spring means.

12. In an equalizing mechanism, the combination with a vehicle frame, of two transversely extending axles each fitted with two supporting wheels, journal boxes for one of said axles mounted in guideways of said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, springs supported upon said journal boxes, horizontalplates mounted upon said springs in said guideways, abutment levers pivotally attached to said frame at opposite sides thereof and having cam surfaces engaging said horizontal plates, and a flexible draft member connecting said levers as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand;

' NILS D. LEVIN. 

